Red Wings Could Weaponize the Future at the Trade Deadline

Detroit Red Wings’ general manager Steve Yzerman doesn’t like to mortgage the future to acquire pieces at the trade deadline. He has built most of the roster through draft and development, and while it was a long slog for fans, the payoff is becoming massive this season. However, a recent 5-3-2 stretch in the difficult Atlantic Division has Yzerman weighing his options.

The benefit of draft and development is that there isn’t as much of a need for using the picks if most of the players in your organization are hits. Seven of Detroit’s forwards are currently in their 20s, while five of their eight defensemen are also in that age bracket. With a multitude of young players in their system waiting for an opportunity, most draft picks would only get buried.

Trading draft picks could be the way to go for Yzerman at this year’s deadline, according to Darren Dreger via Insider Trading.

“They are looking for a number two centre, a player with term, and preferably a right-shot defenceman, again, with term. When you look at what Detroit might be willing to part with, you have a look at their draft list. They’ve got a number of juicy picks that could be in play.”

The Red Wings still have 19 of their 21 draft picks over the next three years. For one of those missing, the 2026 fourth-round pick, they acquired the Columbus Blue Jackets’ selection from the same round. Yzerman has draft capital to burn if he wants to use it finally.

Red Wings’ Trade Targets

Dreger believes that the Red Wings are in the market for a second-line center and a right-shot defenseman. In true Yzerman fashion, any players he acquires would need to have term. One center who comes to mind is Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, to be the 1A/1B center with Dylan Larkin. Another option is Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks, who would fit with the European vibe of the Red Wings.

Sticking with the Blues, the answer to their right-shot defenseman desires could be Justin Faulk, who the Blues are also making available. If Yzerman wants to go a bit more defensive in his approach, a surging Logan Stanley from the Winnipeg Jets might be of interest.

One of the biggest gripes with Yzerman has been his tendency to sit on his hands and be a bit too cautious in his approach. The Eastern Conference is competitive this year, but it is also wide-open for a team to take control if the general manager wants to make a big splash.

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